Varanus zugorum
Varanus zugorum, the silver monitor or Zugs' monitor, is a species of monitor lizards found on the island of Halmahera in the Moluccas, in Indonesia.[1] It is currently only known from the vicinity of Jailolo District but its range is likely to be throughout the island.
| Varanus zugorum | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Family: | Varanidae |
| Genus: | Varanus |
| Subgenus: | Euprepiosaurus |
| Species: | V. zugorum |
| Binomial name | |
| Varanus zugorum Böhme & Ziegler, 2005 | |
Zugs' monitor was described from a juvenile museum specimen originally labeled as Varanus indicus.[2] At least one or two specimens resembling the type specimen and generally agreed to represent this species have been imported at various times for the pet trade. Other than this however, the species is unknown. Its habits are unknown as it has not been observed in the wild and is rarely seen even by natives.[3]
The monitor is among the 25 “most wanted lost” species that are the focus of Global Wildlife Conservation's “Search for Lost Species” initiative.[4]
Description
The background color is a silver-greyish. The body and limbs are patternless save for scattered bluish scales. The tail is mostly patternless except for a dozen faint dark bands towards the tip. The underside is yellowish and unpatterned. The tongue is dark purplish with a pink base. The described appearance concerns that of the holotype, which is a juvenile. Photographs of imported adults appear similar except the background color tends more towards a greyish-olive.
References
- Varanus zugorum at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 27 September 2014.
- Böhme, W. & T. Ziegler (2005): A new monitor lizard from Halmahera, Moluccas, Indonesia (Reptilia: Squamata: Varanidae). Salamandra 41 (1/2): 51-59
- Weijola, V. S. A. (2010): Geographical distribution and habitat use of monitor lizards of the north Moluccas. Biawak 4 (1): 7-23
- "The Search for Lost Species". Global Wildlife Conservation. Retrieved 2017-06-02.
Further reading
- Weijola, V. S. A. (2010): Geographical distribution and habitat use of monitor lizards of the north Moluccas. Biawak 4 (1): 7-23. (http://www.varanidae.org/Vol4_No1.pdf)